Confidentiality
Any information and all matters connected with and relating to the Client’s business and its performance are confidential and I shall not disclose them to any other person/entity unless authorised to do so or unless legally required. This includes the ATO and the Client’s accountant.
Payroll Matters
I am engaged in establishing the payroll systems based on the payroll information provided to me. I will implement and maintain the payroll based on this information. I will lodge Single Touch Payroll at each Pay Event and lodge the Single Touch Payroll Finalisation at the end of the financial year. It is agreed that I am not engaged to interpret and apply the FairWork provisions to the Client’s business. Modern Awards fall under the the Fair Work Ombudsman rather than the Commissioner of Taxation.
Lodgement of Information with ATO
A requirement of law is that the Client will provide me with an authorisation for all ATO lodgements including BAS lodgement, Single Touch Payroll and TPAR reports (if applicable). Email authorisation is acceptable.
Review of Documentation
It is the Client’s responsibility to review all reports that I send to the Client, including draft and final reports. These reports are based on the information and records provided by the Client. The Client must ensure that the information provided is correct and complete.
Responsibility for Accounting Records
It is the Client’s responsibility to maintain all business records. This includes security of those records and prevention against fraud. It is important to remember that the Client is personally responsible for the information contained in any statutory return and that the Client must retain all necessary supporting documentation to substantiate the transactions. It is not my responsibility to ensure these records exist or to check every invoice. If I am advised in writing by the Client that copies of the invoices are held and the GST is applicable, I will process on the basis that you have the correct records. The records and supporting documentation will be required in the event of an audit from the Australian Government.
Responsibility of Software and Backup
While I will perform local backups of accounting work for my own records, the Client should ensure all their business electronic data is backed up securely. My backup process does not replace the Client’s own (legally required) secure back up process.
It is the Client’s responsibility to pay any software subscription (either direct to the software company or via Levett Bookkeeping). If the Client stops paying their subscription, they may lose their online accounting file.
Terms of Payment
An invoice will be sent per calendar month, or upon completion of work, as agreed. Upon commencement of work with a new Client, invoicing will initially be more frequent.
Payment is required within 7 days of invoice date, unless otherwise agreed.
Fees are reviewed annually, and one month’s notice provided for any fee increase.
Please note that as a Xero Partner, in some cases I may receive a commission from Xero for subscriptions.
Standards
I aim to provide the highest standard of professional service and I am focused on the concerns of each Client’s business. If for any reason the Client feels they have not received the level of service expected or have an issue to raise, please contact me to discuss how the problem may be resolved.
Furthermore, as a Member of the Institute for Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) and a registered BAS Agent with the Tax Practitioners Board, I am subject to their requirements such as Code of Conduct, ethics, adherence to bookkeeping and accounting standards and requirements to undertake continued professional education. Should there be an issue regarding the ethical or business practices of myself, the Client may refer such matters to ICB and /or the Tax Practitioners Board.
The Tax Practitioners Board’s complaints process is explained, and the online form is available at https://www.tpb.gov.au/complaints
The Tax Practitioners Board maintains a public register of Tax Agents and BAS Agents.
The register contains registration details of registered, suspended and deregistered Tax and BAS Agents.
The register is available at https://www.tpb.gov.au/public-register
Policy Statement & Approach
As a member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, I am:
· Constantly kept up to date with new and updated laws and requirements.
· Able to access continuing professional education opportunities.
· Have the required Professional Indemnity Insurance in relation to services I provide to you.
· Able to access resources and support services as and when required.
· Adhere to the ICB professional code of conduct
To ensure the highest level of service is provided I:
· Regularly review internal systems for quality management.
· Undertake at least 30 hours per year of Continuing Professional Education.
· Ensure I have available resources to understand and apply the current business and compliance obligations.
· Have a culture of transparency, accountability, ethical conduct and compliance with the Code and the tax laws.
Disclosure Statement
By law, I am required to disclose certain matters to you, which are advised in the Disclosure Statement available on my website https://rlbookkeeping.com.au/tasa-disclosure-statement
Terms of Engagement
I reserve the right to amend these Terms of Engagement at any time. The most recent document is available on my website www.rlbookkeeping.com.au